Seasons of Life

Chapters Twenty-four and twenty-five in the book of Matthew are designated as Apocalyptic literature — describing or prophesying the end of the world. 

 

I have to confess it is not my favourite genre nor something I have done a great amount of in-depth study on. Today, while briefly reading and re-reading a few articles on the subject, which include some wild and wonderful interpretations, I came to the conclusion that actually no-one really understands it! The differing opinions are wide and varied. As always it is a mistake to assume one’s interpretation is the correct one. No-one is really sure what the author of Matthew meant. Certainly, it is a literary device not to be taken, well, literally.

 

Today’s lectionary reading is Matthew 24:30-35. This includes the oft quoted line “this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place”. Matthew is usually dated as being written about 70 CE — although some discussion of an earlier Aramaic version has been mooted.

 

Therefore, to read it literally makes no sense — many of the generation alive with Jesus would already have died by the time it was penned. Even if understood that Matthew, as an old Man, was writing it as a comfort to new, young, early believers — a generation undergoing persecution — they too died without seeing the fulfillment of this verse.

 

Yet, countless generations have used those words to claim they are the generation who will see Jesus return. Lists of people who have predicted a bodily second coming of Jesus  with the end of the known world can be found. Here are just three quick examples: 

 

It was prophesied that it would happen in 500 CE. (Irenaenus, Hippolytus of Rome and Julius Africanus). 

Beautus of Liebana, a Spanish monk, prophesied the end of the world in 793.

 Pope Sylvester 11 predicted a millennium apocalypse — when it didn’t happen, it was changed to say it must be 1,000 years from Jesus death rather than his birth so 1,033!

 

I could include many other historical predictions, there was almost one or more documented for every century. In the nineteenth century the prophecies increased and have continued to do so to present day. Of course, it maybe that more were just documented. 

 

Interestingly, in 2010 Pew research focused a question on the second coming of Christ. Their data show that 41% of Americans believe that Jesus Christ definitely (23%) or probably (18%) will return to earth before 2050. 

 

When broken down further the results showed that —

58% of white evangelical Christians believe Christ will return in this period. 

59% of those with no college experience believe Christ will return in this period.

Whereas only 19% of graduates share the same belief.

52% of those who believe Christ will return by 2050 live in the south.

(I’ve included the link at the bottom where more details can be found)

 

So, what do I think? I think it is a pointless exercise to try and predict dates. I think it is much more profitable to focus on how I am living my life in the time I am given on earth. Much of apocalyptic literature is urging the readers to consider their lifestyles.

 

In the same reading in Matthew the author of the gospel uses the illustration of the fig tree — “as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.” I find this a helpful phrase. Perhaps, because it brings me back to a Celtic understanding of seasons and times of life. 

 

Right now, as I look out of my window, I see a beautiful vista of Autumnal colours. Yet, the leaves are already dropping. Friday was a very hot day with an overnight storm which caused a severe drop in temperature. On Saturday as we walked, Andy and I remarked how many leaves had fallen, how different the trees looked than the previous day. The season is changing. For us, in the Western hemisphere, in Upstate New York winter is drawing near. 

 

I don’t even need to look at a calendar to know the date of the approaching new season. The signs in nature reveal it. Life too has seasons — I once heard it said that as one got older the winter of life is approaching. I think to see winter as the last season of life is a wrong way of thinking about it. 

 

Winter is a beginning, a time of hiddenness, a time of much growth. Spring is a time of visibility, tender shoots, freshness and growth while Summer is colour, ripening, beauty and vibrance. 

 

If winter is the beginning of the cycle of life, then Autumn becomes the end. Autumn has its own particular beauty, a time of fruitfulness, harvest and shedding seeds to bring forth the life of the next generation. 

 

Each season is rich and full. Each season can, and should, be enjoyed for the rewards it brings.

 

So, I don’t know when, or even if, Jesus will return in bodily form. I don’t actually want to concern myself with that. I want to focus on how I am living my life now, in the season I find myself in. 

 

The lectionary also includes the passage in Colossians (3:12-17) that hints about how to live life — forbearance, forgiveness, love, peace, wisdom, thankfulness and gratitude.

 

As I live every day afforded to me these the important things to focus on. 

 

(https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2010/07/14/jesus-christs-return-to-earth/)

Violence doesn’t Win

The lectionary reading today is another complex parable (Matthew 21:33-46). I have blogged about it before and probably will again in the future — it seems the older I get, the shorter the three-year lectionary cycle seems!

The parable doesn’t make great reading. It is full of violence, hatred, greed, discontentment, disregard for human life and sadness.

The first thing I’m going to say about this parable is something many will have heard me say before. It is a drum I keep banging as I think it is important. When reading parables just look for the punchline, the message being put out there. Resist the temptation to assign roles to the characters. I believe that is always a mistake. If roles are allocated to the various players, then the text often has to be twisted as characteristics that are unfavourable are lauded. 

This particular parable is the story of a person who bought land, fenced it in, built a winepress and a watchtower. After the vineyard was leased to tenants the owner left, probably to continue his business exploits elsewhere. I imagine this was a familiar model to the audience of the time.

Indeed, it is a model that is reflected in contemporary times in big business. Owners have multiple investments, they put managers in to run them and scoop up the profits as a return on their investments. Often with this model of business enormous profits are made while workers toil for a pittance — the lower on the hierarchical chain the workers are the less money is earned. As this parable is explored it is worth thinking through a contemporary example as it helps to ground it. 

Back to the text — in the story when the time of the harvest arrived the landowner sent his slaves to collect the produce. The tenants seized them, stoned them and killed them (35). The story does not reveal why the tenants did not want to turn over the harvest. It raises a number of questions: 

Were they greedy? 

Were they disloyal?

Were they starving or likely to starve through the winter months? 

Were their families starving? 

Did they feel the return on their work was unjust? 

Was the landowner demanding more than agreed?

Why turn on the slaves who were themselves in an unenviable position?

Anyway, a second set of slaves sent to take the harvest. The same violent treatment was afforded to them. Finally, the landowner sent his son anticipating (or hoping) that he would be respected. Not so — he also was seized and killed.(39). The landowner would then put the tenants to death and start again with new tenants who he hoped would give him the harvest.

So, I want to return again to why it would be difficult to assign roles in this parable. I have heard the landowner sometimes equated to God. A male God who kept slaves and, possibly, treated his workers unjustly. In addition, God would be portrayed as vengeful thus “putting the wretches to a miserable death” (41). Personally, I don’t think that is an acceptable image of God. Maybe one could argue it is an Old Testament image, but the gospels and epistles have tended to change the image of God from violent to loving, a view which has increased in contemporary times. I don’t want a God whose violent image is affirmed.

Furthermore, roles would then have to be assigned to the tenants, the servants, the son, even the new tenants. The most common interpretation says the tenants are the Sadducees and Pharisees, the servants are the old prophets and the son obviously Jesus. Maybe the new tenants Christians? I would also want to reject this. I dislike the anti-Semitic emphasis it would bring to the text as the tenants killed the slaves and the son. 

So, that leaves me with a story that has no winners, only losers. There is no satisfactory ending. The landowner lost profits, slaves and a son. The slaves and the son lost their lives. The tenants lost their vineyard then their lives. No solution is given in the parable. I don’t have any great interpretation or profound thoughts. Much of it just leaves me feeling it is another unpleasant and disturbing parable. 

I tried reading it from the viewpoint of each of the characters — reading against the grain. As I read it from the tenants’ point of view, I see possible exploitation, injustice, unrest which results in anger and violence in their desire for change. As I read it from the landowner’s point of view, I see also feelings of injustice, of being used, taken for granted, dishonoured, great loss and ultimately wanting to turn to violence. As I read it from the slaves’ point of view, I see victims of a system which disregards their humanity and makes them victims of violence, As I read it from the son’s point of view, I see again injustice and a victim of a parent who cared more for material things than kinship. No winners! 

Perhaps, this is simply a story to illustrate that a time of change was coming. It reflects the unrest and injustices in the society of the day. And change always starts with those who see injustices and are bold enough to stand against them. It has happened with every generation. Hopefully, as this story is read it will show the futility of trying to bring change through violence. With violence there are no winners, only losers.

 

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It’s Not Fair!

Today many in America will be mourning the loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died on Friday (September 18). The timing of her death had great significance in the Jewish tradition which she embraced. Ginsburg died Friday evening, her death occurred around the time Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, began. Rabbi Andrea London of Beth Emet synagogue in Evanston, Illinois explains, “If one dies on any Shabbat they are considered a Tzadik … more so when it’s on the new year,”

A tzaddik is a person known for righteous deeds. In early Hasidic writings a tzaddik is a channel through which divined blessing flows to others. It is an apt description. RBG, as she was affectionately known, worked unceasingly for the Other. Women everywhere owe her a great debt of gratitude. She co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU saying, "Women's rights are an essential part of the overall human rights agenda, trained on the equal dignity and ability to live in freedom all people should enjoy."

Throughout her life she continued to champion the rights of women and minorities. Always seeking justice for the Other. She is a sad loss. There are many political ramifications of her death in an election year which will cause anxiety and uncertainty in many people. These will be addressed countless times in the upcoming weeks.

But today is a time to remember with gratitude all that she achieved in her life which changed the lives of so many others for the better.

It is timely then that our gospel reading today is about justice (Matthew 20: 1-16). It is another story told to illustrate the Realm of Heaven which I think is not some futuristic realm but happening right now.

The story is of a landowner who needs workers for his vineyard. Early in the morning he goes out and hires some workers for the normal and presumably fair wage for the day’s work. One assumes they were happy to accept the job at that rate. Later the landowner went back to the marketplace several times — 9:00, noon, 3:00 and 5:00 — each time he saw other workers standing about idle and he hired them also.

At 6:00 he went to pay them, he started with the ones who had only worked an hour giving them a full day’s pay. All the workers received the same amount. Those who had worked the longest — perhaps twelve hours— rose up and objected. I’m sure they were saying, “It’s not fair!”

The landowner pointed out that he had not wronged them as they had been paid the agreed amount. That he could choose to distribute his money to others as he saw fit.

If we are honest it is a hard story to read. I’m sure if I had been there I might have joined in the cry of, “It’s not fair.”

In contemporary times similar things do happen. Someone takes a job for an agreed salary which seems great at the time. Ten years later a new, less experienced person is hired for the same job and because of raising salaries they may be earning more than the original employee who is still working hard after ten years. It’s not fair!

Yet, this text makes me pause and wonder why such feelings would be invoked. Is it jealousy? Is it discontent? Or is a feeling of being taken for granted? I think I’ll need to do a little more self-reflection here.

But ack to the story, I want to think for a moment about the people who didn’t get hired until 3:00 or 5:00. The passage doesn’t mention why they didn’t get a job — maybe they were old, or weak, or women, or not in the best of health. The only thing I can deduce is that they were desperate. Why else would they stand in the marketplace for many hours hoping for work?

Fairness is not sameness — giving everyone the same. As a simplistic illustration it would not be fair to give every person the same amount of food. No, a teenager needs more than a baby! Fairness is more about giving each person what they need to succeed. Sometimes I like to think about it as an old-fashioned pair of scales where all the weight has been on one side and more weight needs to be added to one side to bring it into balance. That’s why I support Black Lives Matter, that why RBG fought for Women’s rights. Fairness matters.

This is what the realm of God (or Heaven) is about as illustrated by this story. The landowner in cared for those on the margins who had no work. Nobody was going hungry that night.

Control, Intimidation, Judgment and Abuse

“If another member of the church sins against you go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others . . .” (Matt 18)

 

Thus, starts the lectionary reading for this week. It is amazing how a couple of verses can cause so much harm — yet that is just what has happened with this text. It has often been interpreted to be discussing church discipline, which in turn is often interpreted as punishment even though the root word of each is very different. A full discussion of the differences between punishment and discipline can be found in our book Welcoming Strangers.

 

Often there is a judgmental quality and a harshness accompanying these ideas. They have been used to justify spiritual abuse and patriarchy where men seek to control the behaviour of women. 

 

I have known of situations where the “elders” of particular churches — all men— go to talk to young women. I have talked with and prayed for victims of this sort of control and intimidation. I wasn’t planning to give details, but on further reflection I will cite one example as it serves to show how ludicrous and abusive this sort of interpretation can be. 

 

A single mother was visited by the “elders” — she was told that her bra was not supportive enough and that her breasts bouncing around under her high-neck sweater may distract some of the male members. I can only imagine how threatening that must have felt.

 

A glance back over history shows that this isn’t only a contemporary issue. And, I know that it is not only women abused by this interpretation of “church discipline”. Others too have suffered much at the hands of this short passage. 

 

Interpreting the scriptures in a way that makes them instruments of control, intimidation, judgment and abuse runs counter to the overarching themes of the New Testament — love, kindness, gentleness, preferring the other, care for the poor and marginalized, etc. 

 

Therefore, I want to re-image this passage in the light of those values. 

 

First, I’ll make a quick comment on the use of the word for church in this text. The word is ecclesia (gathering) which is used only twice in the Gospel of Matthew. The first time is in chapter 16.  Actually, the English word for church is derived from Kuriakos a possessive word roughly meaning house of God. In English we do not have these two as separate words,  both are translated church, which unfortunately does give us preconceived ideas when today’s text is read.

 

To re-image the reading for today I find it helpful to go back to the first appearance of the word ecclesia (chapter 16). A couple of weeks ago I wrote about this passage and suggested that the ecclesia is built on rocky ground — imperfect humanity with all the wonder and variety that entails. 

 

I like to remind myself that at this point ecclesia is a fledgling idea, a hint of what may become, an inkling of possibility for the future. Therefore, when ecclesia is used for the second (and final) time in this gospel to read into the text an understanding of church as an established, fomalised structure with “elders” visiting errant members is surely something never intended by the author of the gospel. 

 

So back to Peter, I wonder how he reacted to this new fledgling idea of ecclesia. I’m sure he never imagined that in the twenty-first century it would still be being discussed! But what did he think? Of course, there is no way really to know, but I can imagine that he would let the idea sit, ponder it now and then, be amazed by it, feel the responsibility of it, wonder if Jesus would mention it again and give hints of what it would be like.

 

A few things happen between the two mentions of the word and I think they help with the understanding of the text for today. I don’t think any of the gospels are a chronological list of events — different placing of the same stories in the books show that can’t really be the case. However, I do think the stories are carefully place by the various authors, so they reveal the heart of the individual gospel. So, I suspect that the stories placed between the two mentions of ecclesia are not random. 

 

I want to briefly look at those stories to see how they inform today’s text. I think they firstly seek to establish Peter as rocky ground — all the wonderfulness of humanity that gives us all hope. (16: 21, 17: 4) The ecclesiais not for perfect people everyone can be included 

 

Next there is talk of commitment (16: 24-25), faith (17:20), healing (17:18), interaction with the contemporary culture (17: 27), humility (18:5) and not causing offense (18:6). Then immediately preceding the second mention of ecclesia is a parable. I think this is perhaps the most significant placing of all.

 

 It is the parable of the lost sheep (18:12-14). The story is a familiar a man has a hundred sheep, one goes missing. He leaves the 99 to seek the lost one. It paints a lovely picture of love, kindness, care and concern. 

 

I think it is teaching the way to understand the text for today. The words are not an instrument of control, intimidation, judgment and abuse. They are hints of how it will be in this new, fledgling ecclesia. If someone is struggling or having a hard time make the effort to go and talk to them, have a cup of tea with them, be the friend they need. In the picture of the parable gently lay them across our shoulders and welcome them home.

 

And just in case Peter missed the point immediately following this verse is a parable about forgiveness — but that is for another day!

Oh Peter!

 Oh Peter!

 

That was my first response when I read the gospel text for today (Matthew 16: 13-20). 

 

Although Peter is mentioned many times in the New Testament there is no real information about him from before he met with Jesus. Clearly, he was married — he had a mother-in-law whom Jesus healed. I have no idea what happened to his wife. I have no idea if he had children. I don’t know if he saw his family frequently or if they were independently wealthy (no longer needing support from the fishing industry). Actually, I don’t really like to dwell on these too long as the feminist in me rises up at the unfairness of a system where a man could leave all his responsibilities to follow Jesus, I suspect his wife would not have had that freedom. Anyway, I’m not thinking about that today.

 

Today, I want to ponder on one little phrase which has really taken on an immense significance: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” 

 

Over the centuries these few words have been interpreted in different ways. Just a side note about hermeneutics here. I hear it said a lot that something written in the Bible must be true without any regard to varying interpretations. Interpretation is key. When I look at a passage and try to understand what is being said I want to think and ponder about the words used, the audience they were spoken to and later penned for, the prevailing culture of the time, relevance for today, etc. Above all I need to be free from the realm of right and wrong. That is such a downfall, if I make the assumption how I interpret a passage is right then, of necessity, how someone else interprets it is wrong. Oh, what arrogance!

 

But back to Peter — actually I really love the character of Peter. He is so normal, so impetuous, so loyal, so delightfully human. The words in today’s reading must have filled him with wonder and gratitude. 

 

Yet, the words are not that simple. Over the centuries they have been understood in two significantly different ways. Initially, the interpretation was Peter, himself, was the Rock on which the church was built. Hence, the acknowledgement of Peter as the first pope. Later came the interpretation that Jesus was referring to himself when he talked about building the church. Peter being a little rock in that building. (Please note I am very much oversimplifying — it is still the subject of much ongoing debate focusing around the Greek and Aramaic use of the word rock). 

 

Yet there has been a third interpretation posed, and this is the one I favour. To understand this interpretation, it is necessary to consider the phrase in today’s lectionary reading in conjunction with the parable of the sower (Matthew 13). 

 

This parable is about a sower who scatters seed in various locations and the resulting growth in each of these areas. One of the places the seed fell was on rocky ground. Here it was not deeply rooted so in time of trial it could fall away. I think this is a wordplay. The word here translated as rocky/stony is from the same root as the word used to Peter.

 

I love the way this description of the rocky ground so fits the life of Peter. Immediately following that parable, is the story of Peter walking on water where Peter boldly steps out but then starts to sink. In the verse preceding the one I am considering, Peter proclaims Jesus as the Christ yet in time of trial denies him. Peter as rocky ground is a wonderfully helpful idea — no one needs to be perfect to be part of God’s community of people. 

 

Do I think it is the only correct interpretation? Absolutely not. That would be really arrogant. Each person must think and study for themselves and draw their own conclusions. 

 

Personally, I find this interpretation really encouraging.  When I think of a Peter who wasn’t perfect, a Peter who made mistakes . . . lots of them, it gives me real hope. Peter who was so very human but could still live a life that made a difference to his contemporaries and those of future generations. 

 

 

 

(For a full discussion of this interpretation see Mary Ann Tolbert, Sowing the Gospel: Mark’s World in Literary-Historical Perspective. Fortress Press, 1996)

Don’t Look Down!

Today’s Gospel lectionary reading (Matthew 14:22-33) is the story of Jesus walking on water. The text relates how the disciples were in a boat battling a storm. It reads like they were having a real struggle. It must have been quite scary. 

 

Many years ago, I was in a small open ferry in Wales, travelling from Tenby to Caldey Island. It is a short journey which we had undertaken easily in the morning. We had spent a wonderful day wandering on the island. Mid-afternoon the sky started to darken so we hurried to the beach to catch the ferry back to the mainland. We were told that due to the storm approaching this would be the last ferry of the day. As we made the crossing the storm hit. I could describe it in much the same way the author of the gospel did, “the boat battered by the waves, was far from land, for the wind was against them.” In our little ferry I was terrified. However, we made it safely thanks to the skill of the young man operating it —although as his colleague on shore helped him tie up, we did overhear him say that at one point he thought that he had lost the boat!

 

In the story today, in the midst of the fear and chaos of the storm Jesus came walking towards them. It is a great story, the subject of many pictures and children’s books. Many studies and much discussion have been undertaken by scholars on the subject of walking on water — ice on the lake, rocks under the surface, etc. I read a few, they are readily available on google. 

 

The text for today continues with Peter getting out of the boat to walk towards Jesus. And, as I thought through the story, this is where I want to pause and ponder. I think this is where I can find relevance for my life. 

 

In the narrative, Peter left the boat presumably full of confidence, but fear of the waves and the wind overtook him, and he started to sink. Peter looked down. He looked at the circumstances, he looked at difficulties and fear overwhelmed him.

 

As I pondered it, I thought of destinations, goals and direction. I know in the past I have talked many times about enjoying the journey —and that still holds true. So much can be missed if a journey is rushed, forgetting the beauty and the experiences encountered while travelling.

 

But today, I want to think about destinations, about dreams and visions, about goals. This story illustrates that beautifully. I want to hold in tension enjoying the journey and keeping the focus on the destination.

 

Focusing on the goal is another important aspect of life. Or, to express it differently, not losing sight of the vision or holding onto the dream. Or perhaps, a deep inner knowing of where one wants to be at any particular stage of life. 

 

If that is kept in forefront of one’s mind, then when the storm comes —when the boat is being battered by waves and the wind is strong — it won’t overwhelm.  Lots can be learnt from this story — don’t look down, keep eyes steadfastly on the destination until the calm is restored and the journey continues in peace . . . until the next storm!  I love the cyclic rhythm of life.

The Expansiveness of the Realm of God.

Expansiveness — that was the word that came to me as I read the lectionary gospel for today. The text (Matthew 13:31-52) records five short parables, I loved what an expansive picture these parables are giving of the realm of God. 

I rarely look words up when writing a blog but today I did and loved the definition given. Expansiveness: magnificence of scale. What a great definition?

I think these parables will be familiar to all but today, I’m just going to linger with the first one.

The realm of God is likened to a tiny mustard seed which produces a tree where the birds can nest and find protection. I have spoken about this parable before and make no apologies for some repetition as I find this such a rich picture of the realm of God.

When Andy and I lived in the UK we sometimes went camping in France — I had also camped there in my childhood. One of the delights of the journey was seeing the mustard fields. They stretched, bright yellow, for what seemed like miles and miles to the horizon. From them is harvested the mustard that one eats as a garnish. 

However, I don’t think it was that sort of mustard which was in the author’s mind when this gospel was penned.

I believe the story is talking about the mustard tree which is native to Israel and several other countries in the Middle East and Africa. It thrives in hot, dry conditions.  Salvadora Persica is a shrub which grows up to thirty feet tall. It is known as the mustard tree or toothbrush tree. In addition to shelter and nesting for birds it has many uses. The leaves are said to help cure many diseases including coughs, asthma and rheumatism. The fibrous branches are used for teeth cleaning. The small berries are eaten, both fresh and dried, whilst the leaves are used to make salads.



I thought it was such a great picture of the expansiveness. In this one parable, through the image of the mustard tree the realm of is depicted as a place of refuge, a place of new life, a place of healing and a place of nourishment. 

I know if I were to ponder the other four parables, I would see more images of the expansiveness of the realm of God. However, today, I want to linger on the image of the tree. I am writing this surrounded by trees. They are sheltering me from the sun, the birds are singing in them, the squirrels are running in them. Trees are such a picture of life and as I sit among them it seems fitting to ponder the magnificence of scale of the realm of God.

Life is a Journey

Life is a journey. I’ve said that before and probably will say it many more times. It is how I like to view life. A journey has a beginning and a destination —note, not an end but a destination. An end has a finality about it, a destination is the beginning of a new adventure, the beginning of a new journey.

Actually, to describe more accurately how I look at life would be to say it is an over-arching journey. One big journey that encompasses many smaller journeys —childhood is a journey, parenthood is a journey, each phase of ministry is a journey, each career is a journey, retirement is a journey. . . 

Even within each of my examples are multiple journeys. Journeys within journeys!

Today is Ascension Sunday. As I read the various lectionary readings I thought how in the church’s calendar, the time between Easter and ascension typifies a journey. Ascension is celebrated forty days after Easter. I’m not sure that this is a literal number, as forty is a typical Biblical number for significant events —forty days in the wilderness, forty days of lent. 

Regardless, I want to look briefly at the forty-day journey that began at Easter and reached its destination with ascension. Journeys are not usually straight roads, but full of highs and lows, twists and turns. I want to think about this journey from the viewpoint of those early followers of Jesus. Those people who had been on a journey accompanying Jesus for a few short years. They had left families and careers to do so, they had seen miracles, they had been taught and trained, they’d been exalted and ridiculed. What a journey!

Yet, the destination had not been what they expected. The destination had been death and crucifixion. So, their next journey which was to last only forty short days started on an incredible low. I cannot imagine the depths of despair they must have reached as their hopes and expectations of a Messiah ended on a cross. 

Sometimes that happens in life, one embarks on a journey full of excitement and expectations only to reach an unexpected destination. It can be quite devastating, but often, like the mythological phoenix, something rises from the ashes —a new journey begins with all the hope and expectation rekindled. I have always loved the way C. S. Lewis expresses in in The Last Battle —"Their hearts leaped and a wild hope arose within them” (228)

For those early followers, Easter Sunday began that new journey. Hope and expectation were rekindled. The scriptures only give a glimpse of those forty days —some walks together, some conversations and a shared meal. What an adventure those forty days must have been! 

But like all journeys it reached a destination, yet another unexpected turn. The risen Christ ascended. This time maybe it was not so devastating. They had been given hope and promises for the future. So, in great anticipation those followers left the place of ascension and returned to where they were staying. There they would wait for empowerment, full of expectation the next journey was soon to begin. 

This, too, happens in life. I have also experienced it. Sometimes the destination is planned and reached. It is time for the next adventure to begin. But, as in the experience of those present at the ascension, the destination can be unplanned but not devastating, unexpected but not traumatic merely different than assumed. It is time to wait for the next journey to be embarked upon. 

Life is a journey — enjoy the adventure!

(Photo: Holocaust Memorial, Cornell Botanical Gardens)

“Do not let not your heart be troubled.”

“Do not let not your heart be troubled.”

These words open the lectionary gospel passage today (John 14: 1-14). As I read them, I paused and mused them over. Just eight short words yet so relevant for today when such turmoil is surrounding the nations of the world.

My immediate response to reading these was —how? How do I prevent my heart being troubled, day by day, moment by moment?

My heart is not troubled constantly but worry rears its head several times a week.  I’m sure everyone experiences this. Perhaps, more especially during this time of universal crisis. 

On a personal level my heart is troubled when I think about my children all of whom are still travelling to their places of work during the pandemic thus being exposed. I think about other family members including a 93-year-old mother who is isolated but still vulnerable. I think about my dog who is suffering an illness that he won’t recover from. I think about the unemployment and loss of businesses that is affecting family members. 

On a wider level my heart is troubled by what is happening in the world. As time goes on —we personally have been in social isolation for forty-eight days — uncertainty seems to be the underlying message. Often those leading nations and the medical advisors seem to be in conflict as to the best way to proceed. As always crisis seems to bring out the best in people and the worst in people. 

Of course, my heart is troubled by far more than the brief things I have mentioned. I wonder, what other people’s hearts are troubled about?

I’m not sure that having an untroubled heart will ever be attainable. It seems to me it is unrealistic to expect that. In life things will happen that will cause unrest and anxiety. These are often unexpected and unplanned for. Andy and I planned what a great summer this was going to be. My sisters were coming in June, it is more than a dozen years since they have been here. Then family from Thailand were coming in July. Now the plans have changed, of course I prefer everyone staying safe, but my heart is sad and troubled by it.

So, I don’t think having one’s heart troubled can be avoided. It feels unrealistic to say that. I think it is part of our humanity, thus, I have to say, God-given. Therefore, when I read “do not let not your heart be troubled “, I view it more about how it shouldn’t overwhelm me. How can I ensure that my heart being troubled doesn’t move from a normal part of human-ness to an unhealthy preoccupation?

I find it helpful to set this verse into context. It was placed immediately after discourses about very troubling things — the prediction of Jesus’ death, the betrayal and the denial. Heavy stuff that would unsettle anyone. 

Therefore, the rest of the text is penned to offer comfort to the disciples. I gleaned two ideas from the passage which may be helpful in the midst of troubling times

The first is hope in the future. In the passage this is shown in the conversation between Thomas and Jesus (2-7). Hope is always important in trying not to let a troubled heart overwhelm one. Hope brings about a confidence for the future. 

The second is in the exchange between Phillip and Jesus (8-11). Jesus is recorded as talking to Phillip about finding the father-mother in him. As I read it, I mused about finding Christ (God) in all things and all persons — not the easiest thing to do sometimes. Yet, if my heart is troubled and I look and find Christ in the situation — however tenuous that might be —it is a way forward. A way not to let a heart be overwhelmed by sorrow. 

Talking about troubled hearts is all a little depressing therefore I will end with some words from the lectionary psalm for today:

[God] you are my rock and my stronghold (31:3).

A Challenge to the Patriarchal Mindset.

Today, as I read the gospel lectionary passage, I want to use it to think about how scripture is approached. I think it is an important subject and one which I find intriguing. Before I delve into the passage, I want to add a quick general principle.

The study of hermeneutics has for a long time been a fast-growing area of the study of the ancient texts. There are many different ways of interpreting scripture. I’m not going to go into them today. I do cast a fairly brief glance at them in the chapter on interpretation in my book Corporal Punishment, Religion and US Public Schools for any who are interested. 

For today, I’m going to simply say that it is a person’s best effort to grapple with scripture and come to an understanding which is meaningful. There is always a danger in interpretation of thinking there is one correct way of understanding a text. It is even worse when it is written or spoken about as if this one understanding is the absolute truth. Then there is an implication that anyone who thinks differently about a passage is wrong. Over the years — even over centuries — this has caused much division. 

So, when reading or studying scripture it is much better to offer an interpretation as personal thinking with the expectation that others may think differently —and that is okay. It invites dialogue which, hopefully, will enrich all. 

When I approach a text I like to read it “against the grain”. This is a little phrase that I first read in Anne Thurston’s book, Knowing Her Place. Reading against the grain is looking beneath the most common or most obvious understanding of a text. I like to think about it as challenging assumptions. It is really helpful in opening the mind to other possibilities. 

Today’s lectionary gospel passage is a really helpful passage in challenging assumptions (Luke: 13-35). It is the story of the two people on the road to Emmaus. They were walking the seven miles home from Jerusalem when a third person joined them. When they arrived home, they urged the stranger to stay the night with them as it was getting late. Over bread they realized it was the risen Christ who had joined them. Ultimately, they returned to Jerusalem to tell others of their experience.

It is a great story and one which is commonly depicted. The assumption I want to challenge today is that these were two men. Often the scriptures are approached through a patriarchal lens. So therefore, the assumption is these two who the risen Christ walked with must be men. Why? 

I googled “Old Masters + Road to Emmaus” (try it) and loads of famous and not so famous painting are shown. All depict two men with the Christ. I also tried it with children’s book — also two men are usually illustrated although I did find one cute YouTube video that included a woman.

Anyway, back to the text. Only one person is named in the Gospel of Luke. That is Cleopas. The other remains unnamed — sadly often, in the scriptures, the women are left unnamed. Therefore, it is possible that the second disciple on the Emmaus Road was a woman. Furthermore, I think that it is very probable that it was Cleopas’ partner. Actually, Mary the wife of Clopas is noted as one of the women at the foot of the cross. 

“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.” (John 19:25)

I know the name in the Gospel of John is Clopas rather than Cleopas but it is accepted that this was the same person. Clopas is the Greek form while Cleopas is the Aramaic form of the same name. In the same way Paul is the Latin transliteration of the Greek name Saul. 

To my mind, it makes much more sense to assume that the two on the Emmaus Rd were Cleopas and Mary. It is clear from the text that they share a common residence in the village where they lived. 

I just want to offer this interpretation to challenge the status quo. Ultimately, after studying, some reading this may still prefer to accept the more common interpretation —that it was two men journeying and living together. That is absolutely fine. The important thing is to let any text challenge the patriarchal mindset and to enrich beyond the accepted norm. 

That is the beauty of reading against the grain. 

A New Day is Dawning

Christ is Risen

Christ is Risen Indeed.

A very happy Easter to all who are reading this.

Easter will be different this year. 

Regardless of how Easter has been celebrated in the past there will be changes this year. Covid-19 has put a stop to large and small gatherings. Therefore, church buildings will remain empty and rightly so. (I must confess to having little patience for those who flout the advice and put others at risk). Family gatherings will be curtailed. Public Easter Egg hunts will be cancelled. Easter will be celebrated at home, alone or with the nuclear family.

Easter will be different this year. 

Yet, the message remains the same. Death and resurrection. It is the cycle of life that is seen reflected in nature. My job ended with the lock down —I miss it. I am home all the time and, weather permitting, have been spending a lot of time in the garden. Most of the work is raking leaves—we have a lot of them! As I am raking, I continue to marvel at the cycle of life. Green shoots are revealed as I remove the dead leaves which have provided a protective cover over the winter. 

As well as seeing these tender green shoots, I enjoy the early snowdrops and crocuses which are starting to bloom. I watch the birds dancing as they choose mates, then carrying twigs to make nests. The buds are on the trees, some starting to show a hint of colour. All around me are signs of life bursting out.

The events of the Easter story remind us of this cycle of life which is reflected in nature. It is powerful story. It is important story. It is a hopeful story. It is a story that has shaped our lives. 

It is a new day dawning. The lectionary passage for Easter Sunday (Matthew 28:1-10) begins with the words, “as the first day of the week was dawning”. 

Something significant happened on that day —history changed forever. The Easter event has never been forgotten. It was a new beginning, nothing would ever be the same.

Currently, the world is in the middle of the worse pandemic for a century. Many lives have already been lost and will continue to be so — our prayers are with all those who are suffering and their families. 

It is a hard time for everyone. The photographs in the media of essential workers and mass graves are harrowing. People will be forever changed — how can they not?

There are certain events that remain forever in history. These are key points which caused society to change. They will never be forgotten — for example, the holocaust or September 11^th , 2001. 

Society has now been locked down in USA for about four weeks. In some countries it is even longer. Will this change society? I was listening yesterday to LBC (Leading Britain’s Conversation, our favourite radio station). It was a phone in format. The question had been asked,  had the lock down changed people in positive ways. I found a few answers particularly insightful. 

One person said that because of the business of their lives they had never spoken to their elderly neighbours, since the pandemic they had exchanged words —at a distance —and continually checked to see if they were okay. Another said that their drive to work was two and a half hours daily along a busy motorway and they were loving not being part of that rat race. He added that he was actually getting more work done at home. A third person said they lived near an airport and with fewer planes for the first time in years birds had returned to their garden. 

On our walk with our dogs, Andy and I have found that people are more friendly. Everyone says hello while maintaining a safe distance. I also noticed siblings in a couple of gardens. I commented how nice it was to see siblings learning to play together.

A new day is dawning 

In many ways it is still the Good Friday of the pandemic. It is a dark time and will probably continue to be so for several more weeks.

Yet, glimmers of a new kinder society are shining through — kinder to each other, kinder to nature and kinder to the nonhuman life we share the planet with.  Glimmers of life are starting to break in through the darkness.

I can say with assurance that Easter Sunday will come eventually. The light will overtake the darkness. It is the cyclic nature of life. 

Will we go back to life as it was before?  I hope not, I hope this is one of those key moments in history which brings about far reaching changes.

Life Always Finds a Way

 A few days ago, we were in the hot tub —our usual morning routine—watching shadows emerge as light pushed away the darkness of the night. 

“Look, Look,” I cried excitedly, pointing down our back garden. “I think it is a deer.”

We both stared, trying to focus at the shadow as the image became clearer. Eventually, we realized there wasn’t one deer but four of them. We were delighted and watched the creatures as they moved and grazed on the other side of our garden fence. As light increased it was obvious that these were two pairs each consisting of a larger mother and a year-old baby. We continued to watch in wonder.

Anyone reading this might be thinking why such excitement over seeing deer in Upstate New York. Over the years I have taken hundreds of photographs of deer. Several of them have been posted on Facebook! What may not be known is a few years ago this area decided to cull the deer. Cull—it is strange isn’t it how words are often used to mask an unpleasant truth perhaps murder or kill would have not been quite as acceptable. Many voices were raised in opposition, ours included, the debate lasted a couple of years but unfortunately the slaughter ultimately took place. It was sad, these felt like our friends, we had names for them, we had stroked them as had our grandchildren. Several years ago, one was even born in our garden in the early morning as we sat in the hot tub. The newborn remained in our garden for several weeks until big enough to jump the fence. What a joy to share those first few weeks of his life. 

Andy and I have not seen any deer for about three or four years and now we were looking at four of them. Life had not been extinguished. Life had found a way. 

It was a message of hope much needed in these days. The world is in the middle of a pandemic which will go down forever in the annals of history. I have never lived through anything like this, I suspect nor has anyone else. Today, America has the largest number of cases recorded anywhere in the world—at the moment of writing there are 123,781 cases with 2,229 deaths and 3.238 recovered. The predictions are it will get worse before it gets better. 

It is sobering to read the stories of those on the frontline in caring for those suffering. Many of the accounts highlight the severe shortages and desperate needs, as the country was and still is ill prepared to deal with a pandemic of this nature. 

I have heard and read some “this is the end of the world” theories. They are not helpful. Life will always find a way.

This Sunday’s lectionary readings give that same message. The Old Testament reading is the story of dry bones in a desert, life is breathed into them and they live (Ezekiel 37:1-14). And the gospel story is of Lazarus being raised from the dead after four days in the tomb (John 11:1-45). Popular, well-known stories. I, as many others, have talked about them often, giving them deep spiritual meaning. Today, I don’t want to look at details, I don’t want to pick out the verse or theme that spoke to me on this occasion. Today, as I read them, they gave me one message of hope — life will find a way.

I don’t want to in any way trivialize the pandemic. These are serious times, people have and will lose their lives. Yesterday, we were told that someone who was part of the congregation of the church Andy was minister of in Northumberland had died of Covid-19. Her children were the same ages as our children — we have not talked to her for over twenty-five years. Nevertheless, hearing a name of someone known in the past was a sober reminder of how serious this is. 

But for the world, the human race as a whole, life will find a way. It is a hope we can hang onto in difficult times.

 Life may be forever changed, a new consciousness has been raised in everyone about social distancing. I wonder will I ever want to be in a crowd again? Will I feel comfortable shaking someone’s hand?  Will I notice every cough I hear while out shopping? 

Our pugs are very friendly. We have deliberately socialized them to be so. We have encouraged them to meet other dogs when we are out walking. That has changed. Now when we do our daily walk, we pull the dogs close to us as we stay on opposite sides of the road from other dog walkers (although a distant wave and kindly greeting is exchanged with the humans). A couple of days ago, as we walked past another person walking their dog, our pug, Lucy, barked at it. She had never done that before. It was eye-opening as we realized, in just two weeks, we had taught her to be wary of other dogs. She will eventually need to be re-socialized. I wonder will it be the same for us humans.

But the message of hope is life may be different, but life will find a way forward.

As a final note I want to add that many people are on the cutting edge of the Covid-19 outbreak — nurses, doctors, chaplains, therapists, prison workers, etc. They are living as Christ to those they serve. 

There are also many essential workers shopkeepers, garbage collectors (dustbin people in UK), postal workers, they too are being as Christ to those they serve.

Others are accepting restrictions on daily life in hope of helping to stop the spread of this terrible disease to others. Perhaps, at home worried about family members and friends who are elderly or essential workers.

At this time, we need to uplift each other by our prayers, emails and discussions filled with hope that whatever changes, ultimately life will find a way.